Word of God speak
I recall singing a song a long while back with the title, if I remember correctly, Word of God speak. It went something like this. “Word of God speak, would you pour down like rain, washing my eyes to see your majesty. To be still and know that you’re in this place. Please let me stay and rest in your holiness.”
I also recall sensing the presence of the Lord each time it was sung. The song has a special place in my heart.
The Word of God is alive.
This means it speaks to those who are open to listen. This isn’t some mystical nonsense, but rather a very real element of the scriptures we have come to call the Bible.
As the active agent of the godhead on the earth, one of the assignments of the Holy Spirit is to reveal or open to Christ followers the Word of God. The results of his work can be seen in many bible commentaries and daily devotions that are available. Most everyone of these carry some element of the Holy Spirit open the sacred word of God providing some kind of revelation or new understanding.
The purpose of this page isn’t any different.
Through the years, I have seen things in the Word of God that I believe have been inspired by the Holy Spirit. Thus this page is simply my attempt to write some of them down for others to read.
Perhaps it will inspire some to search for such treasures. I recall a saying that applies here. It goes like this. One man’s (or woman’s, we live in such a politically correct world these days) revelation is another man’s (see above) inspiration.
What that means is that one person being inspired by God to search something in the Word of God discovers a revelation or something they have never before seen. That person shares that revelation with another; that person becomes inspired to search the Word of God. The result is another revelation that is shared with someone else.
What a totally novel concept; but one that I believe was quire common in the early days of New Testament believers.
From time to time, I will add a comment, which means the page will be worth reviewing on a regular bases.
Genesis
In the beginning
The earth has a beginning, a starting point and who is to say when that starting point was?
It is also clear from the book of Genesis that during this time the earth was a desolate wasteland without any form or fashion.
How can anyone know if that beginning was only a few thousand years ago or millions even billions of years ago? The only one around during that time was God. This is not to say that I believe in evolution as it is taught; but who knows how long earth has been around? Can anyone prove his or her theories? I think not.
What is important is the fact that there is a starting point in which God created something that did not exist before.
This is important because the very first verse of the Bible demonstrates the nature and character of God—to create.
Notice the sequence in which this happens.
The spirit or wind of God began to move, that is, it began to flutter or shake the water or liquid that covered the earth. Who is to say how long this shaking took place? Again, what is important to understand is that the godhead—the triune God—is in place and at work.
The spirit of God began to set the stage for the next step in the sequence. The Word spoke calling something into being that did not before exist.
The New Testament clearly identifies Jesus as the Word of God. This means that within the first two verses of the Bible the godhead is seen creating.
Why is this important?
It is important because it reveals the nature and character of God—the God of the Christ follower—as one who creates.
It is important because on the sixth day when the godhead created mankind he created them with a very unique design, to be like God. This means humanity is created to be creative. It also means that humanity is created with three parts just like the godhead.
It is important because after the fall of mankind, it serves as a reminder of who humanity is supposed to be, a triune being who is wired with the ability to create.
Because of the great garden sin, humanity now has a choice to either serve the godhead or walk away from him. However these two facts remain constant, mankind is triune with the ability to create.
This explains why so many things—both good and bad, both righteous and unrighteous have been created.
It also explains why there is such a void in the world; when only two-thirds of a triune being are active or alive. It is the spirit of humanity that communes with the spirit of God.
And God said it is not good for the man to be alone
The first created human was male. The Bible says that God created a garden and placed that male in it. The next thing God does is declares that is not good for that male to be by himself.
Before God creates the female he does something very intriguing. He has every creature he created pass by the male. For many the focal point of this event is how the male gave names to each and every creature. This a amazing to me given the fact that he had never seen an orangutan much less ever heard the word; however orangutan’s have their name thanks to the male in the garden.
As impressive as this point is, it isn’t the focal point of this passage of the Bible. The focal point is that the godhead declared that the male should not be alone. God had every creature pass before the male so that he could see with his eyes in order to comprehend with his mind that he was not compatible with anything in creation.
If you will allow a little humor, when the man awoke from the deep sleep the godhead him placed him in, he exclaimed, “Wo-man, what a hottie! She is for me!”
And God said
Recently there was a television program on where the leader’s voice was so powerful that he would destroy things when he spoke. I imagine God to be the reverse of that, in that his voice is so powerful that anytime he moves his tongue to speak, things are created.
And God said, LET THERE BE…and it was so.
It is understood that God created something new every day for six days. He spoke and light came to be, then the heavens with all its constellations were formed, but he didn’t stop there. He then turned his attention to planet earth creating oceans, lakes and rivers, mountains, hills and valleys. He then filled those bodies of water with fish and the land with all manner of vegetation and creatures.
Then God turned his attention to mankind, but that was different. God did not say, Let there be, and man appeared. God took clay from the earth and very meticulously formed mankind with very specific attention to every detail. The heart did not haphazardly show up; no, each chamber was molded so as to function perfectly with the other. Each artery was fashioned to run throughout the body with the ability to pump life-giving blood to very vein and capillary upward toward the head as well as downward to the feet.
The brain did not decide it needed a cortex then a frontal lobe and a parietal, temporal and occipital lobe in order to function. God carefully placed each section precisely where it needed to be with just the right about of blood vessels to supply exactly the right amount of blood to serve them.
The Bible makes it clear that in the beginning the male was first created. I find it interesting that well before—who is to say how long the male lived in the garden before God created the female—the female came along God carefully placed in the male the ability to reproduce—with the woman.
This tells me that a female was in God’s plan all along.
This is important because it beckons the question what was the male to see before the “she” was created? I suppose there could be a variety of answers, like to see the joy of spending time with the Father, or to enjoy the beauty of God’s creation, the land and animals. But I suspect that the primary reason was that the male needed to see experimentally that he was different than every other creature on the planet. I would imagine that the male saw the inner-action of the male hippo with the female hippo or the male tiger with the female tiger. It could be that he was without a female long enough to see the creation of tiger cubs or baby birds, even a baby orangutan.
I believe the male had to see that he was very different from everything else on earth.
This is important for two reasons. The first being the way mankind was created, in the image and likeness of God. It is clearly stated in the book of Genesis that God gave a solemn charge to mankind to take care of everything God had created. It is in the DNA of humanity to be responsible. Every other living creation is designed to be obedient to a certain pattern of life. For instance plant life provides valuable components to sustain life, whether by providing oxygen or nutrition essential for life. Animal life is essential to provide balance to the ecosystem and after the fall of mankind, food for other animal life.
The responsibility of mankind was and continues to be maintaining balance and order in essential elements of life. There have been many inventions that have kept this balance in order. For example when penicillin was discovered in the early twentieth century, it saved millions of lives by fighting harmful bacteria that caused so many diseases in the body, both human and animal.
The second reason the male had to see that he was different is possibility the most important reason. When God put the man to sleep to remove a rib from his chest and create a woman, he did so to create a second very unique creation, a companion.
The man did not have to do this by himself; he had a very qualified companion who stood beside him as equally created and equally significant. Together they shared in the responsibility of looking after God’s creation.
God created mankind as two parts of one whole; the male and the female. The apostle Paul in the New Testament speaks about this in his letters to the various regions where the church gathered, but it is important to realize that the man and the woman speak to a mystery called the church. This is why any other paring is considered a perversion of God’s design; because it misrepresents this mystery. This is looked at in greater depth in the New Testament writings.
The remainder of the book of Genesis conveys stories of men and women who wrestle with such responsibility. Many of them fail in their efforts because they use such authority to better themselves rather than taking care of God’s creation. However there are several stories of men and women who endeavor to follow God’s plan for mankind.
Abram was one such person. He is introduced in the eleventh chapter of the book of Genesis becoming a central figure because of his willingness to follow a God no one sees. After God changes his name to Abraham, he remains a central figure throughout the remainder of the book because of his tenacious belief in that God. The New Testament writers speak of Abraham often with the Apostle James calling him a Friend of God.
Quite an accomplishment from someone who simply choose to believe.
There are many lessons that can be learned from Abraham’s life. His stories, as well as every other story in the Old Testament, serve as a valid reason for, not just “reading” the Bible, but exploring the pages of the Bible in order to learn things about the godhead.
…to be continued
The Exodus
The book of Exodus is a beautifully powerful story of God’s love for humanity.
Through the years it has caught the attention of Hollywood producers and director’s who have spun their versions of this amazing story of deliverance.
In order to understand this Old Testament book of the Bible, you must understand what God said to Abram as he began his journey with God. In the fifteenth chapter of Genesis, God prepares Abram to enter into covenant with him. During this time he tells Abram of things to come. He tells him of a 400-year captivity of his descendants in a land that will not be theirs, by a people who will not recognize them as his descendants.
God tells Abram that after he judges that nation, he will release Abram’s descendants to go into the land promised him.
Consider how important this is.
God tells Abram (later Abraham) about a very traumatic event that will take 400-years to unfold some 500-years before it happens.
This is the first picture of God revealing himself as the one who stands in the past, present and future at the same time.
This should bring comfort to the Christ follower today because he is the same God who does not change. This means that he also stands in your past, present and future at the same time. He, who knows all things and knows how to take care of both them and you in those things.
Thus the story of Exodus is a story that should bring comfort to you during difficult times. You have not been left to fend for yourself; nor have you been abandoned.
This is yet another picture—Adam, Noah and Enoch being other’s—of the God who desires to spend time with his creation. He is not a dictator who is brainwashing Abram to do his evil biding. God reaches out to Abram and Abram responds.
This is the picture of God’s desire for Christ followers today. He reaches out to you in hopes that you will respond to him. Those that do will find an excitingly scary journey ahead of them. Those who do not will still experience his love and grace in their lives.
Genesis fifteen also paints a very vivid picture of how God views mankind on planet earth. One translation says that Abram’s descendants will be slaves for 400-years while others say they will be afflicted and oppressed.
Any way you look at it, the picture is not pretty. Abram’s descendants are going to go through heartache, hardship and humiliation for a very long time.
This is important because it must be understood that God does not look on mankind the way mankind looks on him or herself. While mankind is interested in the present, God is interested in the eternal.
This makes sense once you realize that being made in the image and likeness of God means living forever. It helps bring into focus that mankind’s life on planet earth is a preparation for his or her eternity. This eternity is either with or without God; that alone is mankind’s decision.
The prophet Isaiah points out that mankind cannot comprehend the thoughts and ways of God. This means that a hundred thoughts or theories could be developed as to “why” things do or do not happen in the life of man (male/female).
God has a reason for it and one day that reason will be fully understood. That understanding will either come while on planet earth, or after you enter eternity. The focus must not be on the “why” but rather on the “what.”
To focus on the “what” in the situation is to focus on a solution rather than on a reason—or even a justification—for the situation.
God knows “what” the reason is and how it benefits you in eternity. Once you are able to wrap your brain around that, you will find it easier—not easy—to deal with the challenge in front of you.
After all of this, Exodus shows you a picture of God’s plans and purposes. He knew there needed to be someone the people could look up to for guidance as this great deliverance unfolded. He knew the roll each of the twelve tribes would play in establishing Jacob’s children as the nation of Israel. He knew when Moses needed to be born and to which tribe he must belong.
All of these little details are important in understanding how God thinks.
This is how he thinks towards you. This is what the prophet Jeremiah means when he says that God knows the thoughts he thinks towards mankind. He has a plan in place, if only mankind will allow him to implement that plan.
This becomes an issue of trust; which is another major lesson of Exodus. The children of the Exodus did not trust, Moses or the God of Moses. This picture is seen from Moses’ first attempt to be a deliverer until the last person is buried in the desert.
The Christ follower can learn a very valuable lesson about trust from Exodus. Trust is a confidence of a promised action. God told them this would happen, for the length of time it would happen and the manner in which they would be delivered nearly one thousand years before it actually happened.
This is another important picture to see in the Exodus story
If God says it, it will happen. It does not matter that it isn’t seen within the time frame given by some or many. It matters that it WILL happen just like God said it would
This paints another important picture in the story of Exodus. In the twelfth chapter, it is said that Abram’s descendants spent 430-years in bondage. God clearly told Abram it would be 400-years. What brought about a 30-year delay?
There could be any number of answers, but the Bible only speaks of one. Approximately 390-years into their captivity, the now adult Moses, steps in to save a slave from an Egyptians whip. In the struggle Moses kills the Egyptian then attempts to cover it up. Being discovered, he now flees for his life where the next forty-years are spent in the desert herding sheep, taking a wife and having a couple of children.
There could be any number of reasons for this, but what is important to understand is that Moses played a major role in this when he decided to attack the Egyptian. This was his choice, not God’s.
How can you reach this conclusion?
It can be reached simply because God told Abram that his descendants would be in captivity 400-years, not 430-years.
The decision of Moses to “help” apart from God’s timing cost an additional 30-years.
This is why building a close personal relationship with the godhead is so important; it attunes your spirit to the wisdom, counsel and timing of God.
…to be continued
Leviticus
The book of Leviticus tells a tell of God’s compassion for mankind. “If someone has…” is said repeated countless times in this Old Testament book. A loving God so intent on taking care of his prize creation makes certain to give mankind every option to get it right. He is not hoping they will mess up so he can “zap” them as religion has incorrectly taught so many. Quite the contrary, the Apostle Peter in the New Testament states that God is long suffering; he isn’t easily dissuaded.
This book also reveals how God is given to detail. He is precise, just as an Engineer is, when putting his or her drawings in place. Everything must fit at the right angle, on the right level and with the right amount of applied pressure.
This is seen in how meticulously he explains how to prepare a sacrificial offering. It is also further evidence as to mankind’s place in creation. It is God’s desire that mankind succeed, not fail. He has clearly laid out every possible scenario for him or her to follow in order to succeed.
…to be continued
Numbers
The book of Numbers shows the importance of mankind’s order. With the creation of the Tabernacle, is seen the placing of the 12 tribes of Israel around it in order to accomplish two things. The first is to protect the Tabernacle in case of attack while the second is to establish the order in which it was to be assembled and disassembled.
Each tribe was given a specific responsibility regarding this sacred structure.
This is important because it once again shows the nature and character of God. He has a plan and within that plan is a design and within that design is a precise sequence in which that plan is carried out.
This is duplicated throughout everything God created. The seeds that are produced by the plants carry out a very significant purpose; this does not vary. Procreation takes place in a certain order; this too does not vary, even though the creativity of mankind has developed ways to reproduce this, the order of things has not changed since the beginning.
The God of the Old Testament is a God of order. He has a specific plan in place for everything he does. This includes humanity. Adam’s sin disrupted that order thereby causing God to out on hold his plan.
The Old Testament book of Numbers clearly shows God’s desire for order and structure. There is a plan in place that accomplishes that order. For the Christ follower, this offers hope when “things” do not turn out the way he or she thought they should. Unanswered prayers or dashed hopes should serve as a reminder of God’s eternal desire yet to be accomplished.
Numbers serves as a beacon of hope that God’s plan will be fulfilled as long as the Christ follower honor’s the Father’s word for his or her life. It should also serve as a picture of love and patience when those words are not honored; because it means the Father’s plan is simply put on hold, not discarded.
…to be continued
Deuteronomy
Joshua
This book is most intriguing because it chronicles the journey of both Israel into the land of promise as well as the development of their new leader Joshua.
The first half a dozen chapters are most compelling as this new union is set in motion. Three distinct avenues are worthy of consideration; Israel responding to Joshua as their leader, Joshua stepping into his new role and Joshua’s relationship with God.
The children of Israel had known Joshua their entire life. In their eyes Joshua was always the military commander under Moses. It was understood that he had a special relationship with Moses because they had never seen anything different.
By the time Israel reaches the bank of the river Jordan, a second generation has come of age. The only adults age 20 and older that remain are Joshua, Caleb and Moses. Everyone other adult is dead and buried in the wilderness.
Apart from these facts, the Bible gives little history into Joshua’s life. He had a heart to follow God. This positioned him in a place of authority as Moses’ servant—more modernly stated, an administrative assistant. Joshua had first-hand knowledge of Moses’ dealings with God as well as God’s dealings with Moses. He knew the heartache as well as the hardship Moses experienced with the children of Israel.
Joshua saw the miracles of God, as Israel was set free from over 400-years of bondage. He climbed the mountain with Moses as God spoke to the prophet. He witnessed the rage of Moses as they saw the sin of the Children of Israel.
Joshua watched as those his age died in the wilderness because of their unwillingness to believe God. He heard the cries of newborn babies as a new generation of Israelite’s were born.
Moses is now dead and Joshua is in charge.
Keep in mind that there are around one million people, with all of their belongings, looking to him for direction and guidance. It is understandable why God instructs Moses to tell him to be strong and courageous; and why the leaders encourage the same.
I find it interesting that not one complaint about Joshua is mentioned, not one descending voice is heard as this transition takes place, and not one uprising or rebellion because he is now the leader.
This is God’s doing, for fallen humanity is incapable of having such agreement.
This is huge because it is so completely foreign to modern humanity. Even though western civilization tends to be more vocal about it, humankind worldwide will find something to disagree about. The vocal expressions of our current US situation only echo what I am talking about. In a large group of people there will be disagreements.
And yet a million people have no problem with Joshua stepping up as the new leader of Israel.
Following God brings a unity that can only be described as supernatural. It brings a peace that transcends human logic. It is a powerful picture of what the church and Jesus will one day experience.
One thing you will find missing from the Old Testament book bearing his name, is Joshua’s complaints about Israel. Unlike Moses who often complained to God about his congregation, Joshua is not recorded as doing such.
Instead Joshua focused on conquest. His task was clear, divide the land to the nine and a half tribes of Israel. This too speaks to the relationship between Jesus and the church (the ekklesia, the called out). He—Jesus—doesn’t focus on the negative, only the positive, which is moving forward, accomplishing the goal; in order to receive the prize.
If embraced, this picture of Joshua and the children of Israel bridges the sovereign God, of the Old Testament, who punishes disobedience, with the loving Father, of the New Testament, who sent his only son to die, in order to redeem mankind.
God is righteous, expecting obedience. God is also just, offering clear guidelines for the consequences of not being obedient. This is the God of the Old Testament.
God is also a loving caring creator not willing for his creation to die without every means available to redeem them from the fallen state brought on my Adam’s sin. This is the God of the New Testament
This change of leadership offers an amazing story of Old and New Testament in action. It serves as a picture of how God the Father and God the Son desire to interact with humanity. Nothing in life is without a consequence while some consequences are more severe than others. This is the picture of Moses and the Old Testament.
Nothing in life is without love, or the potential of being loved, even though humanity can be extremely unlovely. This is the picture of Joshua and the New Testament.
Joshua serves as an example of how Jesus loves the church as well as an example of how the church is to grow in a close personal relationship with the godhead. Pay attention as to how this relationship grows, especially in the opening chapters of Joshua’s book.
…to be continued
Judges
Ruth
It was as if I read this book for the first time, even though I have read it many times. It is a testimony to how alive the word of God is. Naomi, in particular, was speaking directly to me.
The story-line is familiar; a family of Israel leaves the tribe to seek help away from his people. Bad things happen. Not only the husband dies, but the two sons as well. Naomi, the wife, is now a widow, alone in a strange land; her daughters-in-law her only comfort.
For so many years, I saw Ruth, the daughter-in-law as the focal point of this story. The book bears her name. This Moabite woman becomes the lineage of David, one of Israel’s greatest kings.
However, this time, I saw Naomi as the centerpiece of the story.
Naomi decides to return to her people with Ruth, one of her daughter-in-law’s.
It is this part of the story that reveals Naomi’s heart in a very powerful way.
She tells her daughter-in-law’s her decision to return to her people. She blesses them by saying “May God treat you as graciously as you treated your deceased husbands and me.”
At first they reject, but Naomi is firm telling them, among other things, “This is a bitter pill for me to swallow—more bitter for me than for you. God has dealt me a hard blow.”
Upon returning home to Bethlehem, Naomi makes the proclamation that she is no longer to be called Naomi, but rather Bitter. She goes on to say, “The Strong One has dealt me a bitter blow. I left here full of life, and God has brought me back with nothing but the clothes on my back. Why would you call me Naomi? God certainly doesn’t. The Strong One ruined me.”
Consider this
Following this tragedy Naomi decides to return home. She informs her daughter-in-law’s of her decision and then speaks a blessing over them. She blesses them in the name of the God that—in her words—has ruined her.
How can that be?
Please tell me who, in their right mind, would pronounce a blessing using the name of the very one who ruined your life? It doesn’t make sense, unless you understand Naomi’s heart.
It is understandable that Naomi would be upset. She is a foreigner with only two daughter-in-laws to provide for her. She lived in a time when male domination was the order of the day. It was also a time when belief in a god was a normal way of life.
Naomi grew up learning about, and thus believing in, the God of Israel—the living God—who defended Israel countless times. She lived in a time when judges brought righteous order over to bring Israel, bringing them back in line with their God. She knew God to be a deliverer. She also knew God did hard things for reasons unknown to the people of Israel.
This was Naomi’s heart. She did not understand “why” these things happened, but she would not abandon the God of her people because of them.
She also knew that God was a “blessing” God, which is why she blessed her daughter-in-laws in his name.
The bad times were to be endured, because they would give way to times of blessing—as the rest of the story reveals.
Naomi faced hardship and heartache. She was vocal about it, but she did not allow it to drive her away from the God of her people. She continued on, placing one foot in front of the other, until God showed up in her behalf.
This is the story that caught my attention.
God is good, but that goodness is not measured in human understanding. God is faithful, but his faithfulness is not determined by human timetables. God is loving, but his love is seen in the eternal rather than the temporal.
The Old Testament story of Ruth is a priceless story of reckless abandonment to trust God. It is clearly seen in Ruth’s willingness to leave her people in order to follow Naomi’s God.
Naomi’s story, though perhaps less understood, also depicts the same abandonment to trust the God, who has, “ruined me,” to be faithful to deliver me.
I & II Samuel
I & II Kings & Chronicles
In no time at all following the lives of David and Solomon in First and Second Samuel, you see another dismal picture of sinful humanity sinking to sub-human lows. Even though the adversary, the devil, is not once mentioned in these books of history, you can be certain that each story paints a masterful picture of his diabolic scheme to get back at Creator God for daring to kick him out of heaven.
I have read these books from Eugene Peterson’s The Message because I like the pictures painted by his rendition of the Bible. For example, many times when describing the latest king to sit on the throne of Israel or Judah, you will read, “As far as God was concerned he lived an evil life.” In some cases it even speaks about “sinking to new lows.” I get the image of a wicked Hollywood villain with beady jet-black eyes and a sour disposition.
Not all the stories of about “bad” kings; the kings of Judah generally fared better than those of Israel. Until the end of the books, those who served God reigned on their thrones for many years, while those considered evil only lasted a few years.
King David was the vanguard by which each king was judged. Even though David was far from perfect, he kept his heart right before God until the very end. This is more than could be said for his son Solomon, whose lust for women turned him away from God in his old age.
However, I read something in II Kings 25 concerning Josiah that caught my attention. It states that king Josiah was the first king to celebrate the Passover since the days of the Judges. This shocked me. David in all of his right-standing before God never kept the Passover feast. This has prompted a new study that will be posted in the near future concerning God, Christ-followers and religious rituals.
One more observation about these history books will give you insight into the nature and character of the godhead. At this point in the Bible the references are about God the Father and God the Holy Spirit.
God does not lie, but truth and lies are not based on time. In other words, when something is proclaimed by God there is not a time frame in which it happens. To be sure, God the Father knows precisely the moment it will be accomplished, but it is not dependent on a human timetable.
There is much to be said about this, but this is not the place to say it.
In reading these books of the Old Testament—and you should read them—look for the strategies of the adversary the devil as well as the nature and character of the godhead.
Job
It seems I read Job for the first time during this year’s read through the Bible. In the past, I rationalized Job’s situation to be his fear that his children sinned against God. In one place, it states that he offered sacrifices unto God in case his children sinned during a recent party. In another place it states that the thing he feared most has happened to him.
I do not know that this rationale is incorrect; I just saw Job in a very different light this time. Perhaps I more related to Job because of where my and family and I are in this journey to simple church. I could be that reading this poetry book of the Old Testament from The Message Bible has something to do with why I see his story differently.
The point is, the word of God is alive. It carries the ability to seek to the human heart, life-giving truth, from the heart of Father God. Below is what I have seen in this year’s reading of the book. It may be that something I have seen will speak to your heart as well. It is even possible that what you read will inspire you to read Job’s story with fresh eyes and a greater sensitivity to the voice of God the Holy Spirit.
Job loved God. He lived a life of obedience to the will of God, as he understood it. He was not perfect, for who among humanity is, but Job walked with God and God walked with him.
Even though there is some merit to asking forgiveness for anothers sin, the Bible speaks of this in the New Testament gospel book of John, sin is sin and must be repented of by the one who commits it. Such is the case of Job’s children. I am certain God received Job’s sacrifices offered on behalf of his children, it was Job’s fear that they would dishonor the Almighty that moved him to make such sacrifices.
The story of Job begins with a scene around the throne of God and a conversation between God and Lucifer. I seems that Job is the pawn in a game of wits between God the Father and Lucifer the fallen angel.
The game takes a more serious turn when God gives Lucifer permission to attack Job with everything but his life. The lives of his children, servants and livestock were fair game.
Job does not curse God, thereby proving Lucifer wrong.
However, a shift takes place, from God the Father and Lucifer, to Job and the secrets of his heart. From this point, forward the story is about Job, his self-righteous notions and his so-called friends.
I recall closing the book one morning, turning my eyes toward heaven and saying, “Papa please do not let me be like Job.” I said this because I could relate to what the man was saying. His contention was that he had done nothing worthy of receiving such harsh treatment.
It hit me hard that Job expressed what I have been feeling on this path. I confessed that it was not fair. Job was accurate in his feelings. Even though his “friends” could not see it, his expressions were true and well stated.
In his commentary about Job, Eugene Peterson has some very insightful observations, of which I will point out a few.
The first observation concerns Job’s “friends.” “The book of Job is not only a witness to the dignity of suffering and God’s presence in our suffering but is also our primary biblical protest against religion that has been reduced to explanations or ‘answers.’”
These religious men could do nothing more than give religious answers. They based these answers on the outward appearance of what they “saw” rather than on listening to the heart of a desperate man.
If you will allow a bit of humor
They “saw” a man sitting on an ash-heap filthy and riddled with sores. Opening the book of religion, they found the section, “man sitting on ash-heap,” and found the appropriate sin followed by the appropriate rebuke. They dutifully read what they saw.
This reminds me of a saying I have at my desk. I do not know who to attribute it to, but it has changed how I approach people.
“The challenge with communication is that we do not listen to understand, we listen to give an answer.”
This describes Job’s so-called friends. However, because they were religious their answers were the only answers they could give. This isn’t confined to religion, it is the case in every group and culture.
A close personal relationship with the godhead will cause the religious rhetoric to fade from your mind, replacing it with an openness to “listen to understand.” Peterson makes another statement that, in my opinion, beautifully describes this. “Many of the answers that Job’s so-called-friends give him are technically true…They are answers without personal relationship, intellect without intimacy.”
What I saw to be Job’s problem
I began to see the issue God had with Job, and I came very close to being guilty of the same. Job did not shake a fist toward God cursing him, but he began shaking a fist of accusation. Allow me to express in my own terms.
“If I were God, I would not treat my children this way. If I were God, I would certainly have answered by now.” These are thoughts that have not only run through my mind, but were uttered by my lips.
The Old Testament Prophet Isaiah reveals the heart of Lucifer when he says, “ I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God…”
Job, even though not cursing God, begins to compare himself with God. Job, like Lucifer, exposes pride in his life. I wept when I saw this. I was like Job, like Lucifer. God forgive me.
The love of God is undaunted by human frailty. It is unchanging, relentless in its pursuit of changed lives. Nothing will stop love from reaching out to both the lost as well as redeemed humanity. There will come a time when love’s focus will shift regarding humanity; it is the end of the age, when God wraps up the dispensation of grace.
Job’s story is a powerful reminder that the love of God is steadily at work drawing the lost to the king and his kingdom, while drawing the Christ-follower into paths of deliverance, also for the king and his kingdom.
A close personal relationship with the godhead enables the Christ-follower to embrace such a journey.
Psalms
This year’s reading of the Old Testament book of Psalms was like reading it for the first time. I saw so many stories about a close personal relationship with God. A few years ago, I stopped reading through the Bible and began reading the stories of the Bible. This means that it might take me several days to get through one chapter because of the amazing lessons that were leaping off the pages.
Reading Psalms was no different. I read it from The Message Bible. I like images Eugene Peterson’s version paints. I can more readily capture them in my mind and therefore more easily relate to them.
David, the son of Jesse, Israel’s shepherd, prophet, and king, is credited with many of the Psalms. However his son Solomon, his chief musician Asaph, as well as Korah the priest, are listed as authors of this poetic book of the Old Testament.
The Psalms of David seem to have two primary themes. The first is extreme praise and adoration to God, while the second is unabashed raw emotions about how bad things are. I appreciate David’s honest feelings expressed to a sovereign God. He realizes his place—as is expressed in other Psalms—in God’s grand scheme of things, and yet is not afraid to speak openly about how he sees a matter.
This is huge in a close personal relationship—with anyone—with the godhead. The ability to honestly speak your emotions is vital, otherwise the relationship is one-sided and will become superficial.
It is also important to embrace such openness because it crushes the religious belief of God ready to tee up your head and drive it down the fairway of life. He is NOT out to do you in.
Humanity is made in the image and likeness of God. In the Old Testament you see the emotional side of creator God. There are things that anger him. You read of his encounters with Moses concerning the stubbornness of Jacob’s children in the Wilderness.
Moses dared to stand up for Israel. He reminded God of his own words regarding them. This is what you see in David’s Psalms. This is what a close personal relationship is all about.
David’s heart was also revealed in these Psalms, because once he got out all the anger, hurt or bitterness, he acknowledged God’s goodness in his life.
Asaph’s Psalms generally tell a story about God showing up to deliver or defend Israel. They tend to be longer, which is interesting considering they are songs. I would think Asaph’s Pslams would be more like a ballad that is listened to as opposed as sung as a congregational hymn.
This year the book of Psalms has shown me a valuable lesson about building a close personal relationship with the godhead. It is okay to be honest, to communicate your thoughts, feelings, hurts as well as joy.
It is important to embrace God’s loving commitment to do good for you rather than harm. It is necessary to know God’s word in order to speak God’s word into and over your daily life.
Proverbs
Ecclesiastes
Song of Solomon
Isaiah
Jeremiah
Lamentations
Ezekiel
Daniel
Hosea
Joel
Amos
Obadiah
Jonah
Micah
The words of Micah cry out for righteousness. God is letting his people know in no uncertain terms, that he is looking for a people who will do the right thing; and the right thing is following him. In this short book of the Minor Prophets, you hear the mercy of God crying out to a hardhearted, stiff-necked people to turn from a life of sin. God is reminding them of the consequences of sin by painting pictures of total destruction unless they turn back to God and his word and his ways.
I find it amazing that the religious voices who portray God as an evil warlord just waiting to do in the first person that disobeys, never mentions the countless verses of scripture in the Bible where God offers numerous warnings to stop, turn around and walk with him. He takes no delight in pronouncing judgment, but cannot deny his word to bring judgment on those who will not repent and turn away from sin. God tells his people to prepare for the worst, because it is certainly on the way. That doesn’t sound like a warlord waiting to put down those who step out of line.
Micah then reveals the compassion of God as his warnings shift to a message of hope and salvation. He speaks to his children, calling them out by name and proclaiming the great things that will befall them.
Near the end of the book, is a passage that speaks to fallen humanities longing question regarding life. He is what God says. “But he’s already made it plain how to live, what to do, what god is looking for in men and women. It’s quite simple: Do what is fair and just to your neighbor, be compassionate and loyal in your love, and don’t take yourself too seriously—take God seriously.
In my former life in the matrix, I would say, “Now that will preach!” The saying means that there is a lot of truth that can you learn from that.
Nahum
Habakkuk
Zephaniah
Haggai
What I find most interesting about this Old Testament book of the Minor Prophets is not the message; even though it is a message of hope and a future. What I find most interesting about the words of Haggai are the people to whom he speaks. There is a message to the general population to get up and get to work rebuilding the Temple. However, the bulk of Haggai’s words are to very specific people—two specifically—who are told to do very specific things.
I find this important in the journey to simple church and building a close personal relationship with the godhead. God cares, God knows, and God speaks. He cares about humanity. He cares that men and women, boys and girls do the right thing. He cares enough to speak up when they refuse to do so. He cares enough to send people—called Prophets—to point out the wrongs being done, as well as point to the right way of doing things. The godhead, God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit, desires to be involved in the lives of his children. To believe anything else is to believe a lie.
Religion will attempt to convince you that God is about a list of rules and regulations. As long as you follow the rules, things will go well with you. Once you put down the rules, God will punish you.
A close personal relationship with the godhead is about getting close enough to God you feel his breath as he breathes. Religion on the other hand is about how far away from God you can be without violating the rules. Religion is rule focused, while relationship is God focused.
God knows the very number of hairs on each person on planet earth. He knows the thoughts and intents of the every heart of every individual that is alive. This is important because it speaks to the degree of intimacy that God desires to have with humanity. Think of it this way; would someone who knows all there is to know about you want to use that knowledge to harm you, or to help you? God is good there is no evil in him at all.
A close personal relationship with the godhead allows mankind to explore the depth of God’s love for him or her. It is an opportunity to experience the beauty of God’s grace, his wisdom, and his love. The Bible clearly states that the person, who draws close to God, will find God drawing close to him or her.
Haggai points out how specific God desires to be with his children. He gives specific instructions to the people he is talking to. God has not changed and will not change. He is the same today as he was in Haggai’s day. God desires to speak to you about things that will affect your life as well as the kingdom of God. Developing a close personal relationship with the godhead allows you the freedom to hear his voice as he speaks such things to you.
Zechariah
Zechariah’s words are spoken during the same time as Haggai’s. Even though his messages were more cryptic, a woman in a basket with an iron lid, a flying book, and various colored horses roaming the earth, the message is the same. God is on the move to do good things.
Zechariah echoes messages from earlier Prophets about how God expects humanity to live. The message is the same today as it was thousands of years ago. There are five basic principles to right living. The first is to treat one another justly. The second is to love your neighbor, while the third is to be compassionate to each other. The fourth principle is to not take advantage of the widow, the orphaned, the poor and the visiting guest. The fifth principle Zechariah speaks about is not plotting against each other.
In the New Testament, Jesus that the words of the Law and the Prophets hung to two things, Love God and love your neighbor as you love yourself. This certainly concurs with the words of Zechariah. The love of God in operation in a man or woman’s life enables them to treat others justly, and not take advantage of them or plot evil things against them.
Developing a close personal relationship with the godhead brings you close enough to God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit that love overflows in your life, enabling you to treat others as you would life to be treated.
Malachi
Matthew
Stories, stories, stories, is what this New Testament book is about. “Jesus responded by telling more stories,” is how the 22nd chapter begins. The question is are you reading stories while thinking, “that’s nice, or what is he talking about?”
The Gospels, as they have come to be called, are the first four books of the New Testament. They are eyewitness accounts of the life and times of Jesus Christ. I am amazed how critics point to the contradictions of their accounts of Jesus. If you were to ask four people to describe a particular scene, you would have four different views. There would be parts of their descriptions that matched, while other parts would not. Why? The answer is because each saw the same thing from his or her perspective.
In the case of Matthew, he saw stories and so he writes about them. One day Jesus, with a crowd of people around him, begins telling a story about a farmer, he follows up with another story, and then another, and another. Jesus talks about farmers, fishermen, priests, and trees. His stories are about things that the people can relate too. His stories paint a picture in their minds that are easily painted.
Finally, the disciples ask him what is up with all the stories. His answer is twofold. Jesus tells them the reason he tells stories is that it had been prophesied that he would communicate with the people of Israel through stories. In another place, (another writers perspective of the same story) he tells his disciples that they have are given insight into the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven; and the stories are for those who have not. Then, (in yet another place) he tells them that the stories will intrigue some, who will want to know more.
Mark
Luke
John
Acts
Romas
I Corinthians
II Corinthians
Galatians
Galatians
The writing of the Apostle Paul in the New Testament book of Galatians paints a beautiful picture of the New Testament church. The apostle is admonishing the Christ followers about falling back into the trap of religion—doing what is expected by man (religious) verses doing what is asked by the Spirit of God (relationship).
“I can’t believe your fickleness—how easily you have turned traitor to him who called you by the grace of Christ by embracing a variant message! It is not a minor variation, you know; it is completely other, an alien message, a no-message, a lie about God.”
(The Message)
Consider the implication of what the Apostle Paul is saying. First of all a fickle person is one who easily changes his or her mind. Fickle people are one not secure enough within their own self to take a stand. Because of this, he or she quickly embraces the most persuasive speech. A proverb from the Old Testament book, (from The Message) goes something like this; in the courtroom, the opening speech is always persuasive—until the cross examination starts.
This describes a fickle person, they hear the speech, but do not measure it against the Word of God—because they do not know the Word of God. A close personal relationship with the godhead is grounded in knowing the God of the Bible, by reading the Bible. They have become a student of the Word of God.
Here is an example of how that works.
Someone gives a stirring, moving talk or speech. It touches your emotions, perhaps to take an action. A fickle person jumps on board without validating what he or she heard. A close personal relationship with God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit, allows the same moving speech to be heard—even the emotional moving—but God the Holy Spirit touches them in a way as to challenge it. It could be a thought or feeling that something isn’t right. It could be a verse of scripture that seemingly pops into their mind, or a question mark that something is off base.
Whatever the prompting, the idea is to weigh what has been heard with the Word of God. This can be done by praying, asking God to show you what you do not see. It can be accomplished by being drawn to a particular portion of the Bible. It could even happen by talking to other’s about it.
In the opening paragraphs of Galatians, the Apostle Paul clearly states the seriousness of such a feeling. He tells them that they are believing a LIE! The Christ follower is to believe in Jesus, trusting what he says in the Word of God, to bring the victory. Religion will always ensare the fickle with rules and regulations that please the religious rather than the Father.
Ephesians
This New Testament letter carries the essence of Revival by One. (See the page with the same name) The subtitles paint the picture. The Secret Plan of God (The Message), outlines the inclusion of all humanity—not just the Jewish race—into the family of God. To Be Mature, deals with listening to and obeying the voice of God for your life, rather than blindly following the crowd. This is huge, because it clearly states that all of humanity is, “called to travel on the same road and in the same direction.” This means that there is no place for rebels and superstars; neither does it mean that everyone is look, act and be the same. The plan of God is unique for each and everyone. This is where a close personal relationship with the godhead is so important; otherwise, everyone will be the same, doing the same thing.
The Old Way Has To Go, reinforces the fact that a close personal relationship with God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit, cannot be part-time—when I feel like it—commitment. The old way of living is put to death through the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross. The new way of living is granted because of the resurrection from the dead through Jesus. So, live like a new you!
Wake Up From Your Sleep, addresses religious behavior, stating it has no place in the new life. A relationship is needed in order to life right and follow Jesus.
A Fight To The Finish, makes it abundantly clear that a close personal relationship with the godhead is not a walk in the park, but rather a battle that both the adversary, the devil, as well as his partner, religion, will pursue with vigor.
The victory in this battle is the Word of God, prayer, and the fellowship of like-minded Christ followers.
Philippians
Colossians
I Thessalonians
II Thessaloinians
I Timothy
II Timothy
Titus
Philemon
Hebrews
James
I Peter
II Peter
I John
II John
III John
Jude
Revelation